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I was trying to figure out what kind of engine I want to put into my 1972 El Camino and I just couldn't deny the want for some good old big block power. I quickly decided I want the ZZ502 as the 572 is just too damn expensive, haha.

My main goals are as follows:
1) I want it to run on pump gas (92 octane where I live)
2) I want it to reach 600+ HP
3) I want to spend under $12,000 CND
4) I want to be able to run it up to 6500 RPM
5) I want an EFI set-up over a carburettor

I'm pretty much set on getting better heads and a better cam (thinking of also getting new pistons), so I'm thinking it will be more cost effective for me to buy the ZZ502 Partial Engine (at $5,740) and just add parts I've chosen byself rather than getting the ZZ502 Base Engine w/ Aluminum Heads (at $9,020).

As far as heads go, I've heard amazing things about AFR heads, and the one that really stood out the most to me was the 325cc Magnum (117cc combustion chamber) with rectangular ports, but the price of $2,620 is hard to swallow. An alternative head I spotted was the Edelbrock E-CNC 355 (110cc combustion chamber) with rectangular ports, at a much more reasonable price of $1,630 which also can be had with a larger combustion chamber (118cc) at $1,520. The flow numbers on the AFR heads are a lot more impressive to say the least, but I highly doubt they're worth it at almost $1000 more. What do the experts around here think? Would I be better off with the Edelbrock heads? Or perhaps do you have a different head you'd like to recommend?

As for the cam, I'm planning on keeping to the hydraulic roller style, and was thinking about something from Lunati for EFI engines, in specific the 297/307. It has a lift of .640/.629 with a duration @ .05 of 238/248. Any thoughts on this cam?

For the manifold the obvious choice for me seems to be the Edelbrock Super Victor BBC EFI, any better ideas?

Would it be a worthwhile investment upgrade my pistons? I've been looking around and the Icon forged pistons look fairly good. If I went with the Edelbrock heads Icon has a flat top piston (IC805; head volume 3cc, 655g) I could use to bring me in at a compression ratio of 9.44. If I were to choose the AFR heads (or the 118cc Edelbrock) then Icon has a hollow dome piston (IC807; head volume -17cc, 712g) that would give me a compression ratio of 10.43 (10.34 for the Edelbrock).

All in all, what are your thoughts on these potential upgrades (since I'm sure all of you know infinitely more about this than I do)? Is there anything else you can think of that I could easily and cheaply upgrade to get my engine to run more horsepower?